The meaning of salvation in Luke-Acts: An enquiry into Luke’s understanding of salvation. Initials and Surname L.N. Mchunu Student number 12405248 Mini-dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Magister Artium (Master of Arts) in New Testament at the Potchefstoom Campus of the North-West University Supervisor: Prof Dr D.P. Seccombe Co-supervisor: Prof Dr F.P. Viljoen July 2013 1 of 88 Table of Contents Project Title ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER ONE: Introduction ................................................................................................... 6 1. Motivation for the research ........................................................................................................ 6 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Problem statement ..................................................................................................................... 7 2. Aim and objectives ................................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Aim ......................................................................................................................................... 10 2.2 Objectives ............................................................................................................................... 10 3. Central theoretical argument ..................................................................................................... 11 4. Method of research ................................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER TWO: Evaluation of various scholars’ work ....................................................... 14 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 14 2. Key contributors........................................................................................................................ 15 2.1 Hans Conzelmann ................................................................................................................... 15 2.1.1 Three stages of salvation ...................................................................................................... 16 2.1.2 Review of Conzelmann’s thesis ........................................................................................... 18 2.1.3 Practical implication of salvation ......................................................................................... 19 2.1.4 Summary conclusion ............................................................................................................ 23 2.2 Howard Marshall .................................................................................................................... 25 2.2.1 Salvation is rooted in history ............................................................................................... 25 2.2.2 Luke’s theology of salvation ................................................................................................ 26 2.2.3 Reflection on Marshall’s thesis ............................................................................................ 28 2.2.4 Summary conclusion ............................................................................................................ 29 2.3 Jacob Jervell ............................................................................................................................ 29 2.3.1 Israel received salvation ....................................................................................................... 30 2.3.2 Israel preached salvation ...................................................................................................... 32 2.3.3 Summary conclusion ............................................................................................................ 32 3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 33 2 of 88 CHAPTER THREE: Exegesis of key texts ............................................................................... 35 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 35 2. The birth and infancy narratives – Luke 1-2 ............................................................................. 36 2.1 Salvation as the fulfilment of prophecy .................................................................................. 36 2.2 Salvation as the restoration of Israel ....................................................................................... 42 2.2.1 Spiritual restoration .............................................................................................................. 42 2.2.2 Political restoration .............................................................................................................. 43 2.3 Salvation is available to Gentiles ............................................................................................ 44 2.4 Summary conclusion ............................................................................................................... 46 3. The year of salvation – Luke 4:16-30 ....................................................................................... 48 3.1 The plan of salvation ............................................................................................................... 48 3.2 The recipients of salvation ...................................................................................................... 50 3.3 The present time of salvation .................................................................................................. 53 3.4 The of missing out on God’s salvation ................................................................................... 54 3.5 Summary conclusion ............................................................................................................... 55 4. A sinner is saved – Luke 7:36-50 ............................................................................................. 56 4.1 Salvation and forgiveness ....................................................................................................... 56 4.2 Salvation is a gift received by faith......................................................................................... 57 4.3 Danger of unresponsiveness ................................................................................................... 58 4.4 Summary conclusion ............................................................................................................... 58 5. The lost is found – Luke 19:1-10 .............................................................................................. 59 5.1 Salvation of the chief tax collector ......................................................................................... 59 5.2 Salvation for the son of Abraham ........................................................................................... 61 5.3 Summary conclusion ............................................................................................................... 63 6. Salvation from Jerusalem to the end of the world – Acts 2 ...................................................... 64 6.1 Salvation beyond the Gospel of Luke ..................................................................................... 64 6.1.1 Salvation and resurrection.................................................................................................... 65 6.1.2 Salvation and Jesus exaltation ............................................................................................. 65 6.1.3 Salvation and the Holy Spirit ............................................................................................... 66 6.2 Repentance, salvation or judgement ....................................................................................... 68 6.3 The fulfilment of Joel’s promise of salvation ......................................................................... 70 6.5 Summary conclusion ............................................................................................................... 72 7. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 72 3 of 88 CHAPTER FOUR: Reflection on the meaning of salvation in Luke-Acts ............................ 75 1. The meaning of salvation in Luke-Acts .................................................................................... 75 1.1 Scholars’ views of Lukan salvation ........................................................................................ 75 1.2 The all-encompassing salvation .............................................................................................. 76 1.3 Salvation is still for sinners ..................................................................................................... 77 2. The reality of salvation ............................................................................................................